Wissahickon Creek c. 1900

Henry Troth made this photograph, Wissahickon Creek, sometime in the early twentieth century. What strikes one immediately is its tonal range; a symphony of browns and sepias composes the scene. The composition leads the eye along the creek's gentle curve, from the dark, textured bank on the left to the luminous reflections on the water's surface. Troth masterfully uses light to create depth, drawing the viewer into the serene yet dynamic space. The careful placement of shadows and highlights gives form to the rocks, trees, and water. In this way, the photograph doesn’t merely represent the creek, but evokes a mood, perhaps one of peaceful contemplation. The balance between detail and abstraction is also very well done. Troth allows the shapes and forms of the natural world to speak, while giving each element equal importance to create a harmonious composition. This photograph invites us to consider the interplay between the seen and unseen, the solid and the fluid, capturing a fleeting moment in the life of the creek.